How a wish is granted

Many people ask us, "How does a wish happen?" To find out, follow us step-by-step through our wish process.

Eligibility

Children who have been diagnosed by their physician as having illnesses which are life-threatening, and who are aged between 3 and 18 years of age, are eligible for a wish. More detailed guidelines on eligibility are provided to medical professionals on request.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Switzerland and Liechtenstein grants wishes regardless of race, religion, or socio-economic status. We do not however grant wishes to children who have already received a wish from another wish-granting organisation.

Referring a child

A wish can be referred by one of three sources:

• Medical professionals treating the child–such as doctors, nurses, social workers, or child-life specialists

• A parent or legal guardian of the potential wish child

• The potential wish child

We contact the child’s doctor for authorisation that the child meets the medical criteria for a wish.

When we receive medical authorisation, we tell the family the good news, and assign two Wish Granters.

The two Wish Granters arrange to visit the family.

During the visit, the Wish Granters have one very important responsibility: to help a child identify one heartfelt wish.

Our office then contacts the child's doctor to get approval that the wish is safe and appropriate for the child's medical condition.

Once we receive medical approval, our Wish Granters will contact the family again and begin the magical work of making a wish happen.

The Wish Granters will stay in touch with the family as they plan the wish.

The magic can begin.....